Basicmedical Key

20 Urinary tract infections Introduction Urinary tract infections are common, especially among women The urinary tract is one of the most common sites of bacterial infection, particularly in females; 20–30%…

8 The host–parasite relationship Introduction The preceding chapters have focused primarily on organisms that are quite clearly disease agents. Small numbers may be found in healthy individuals, but their presence…

6 The helminths and arthropods Introduction The term ‘helminth’ is used for all groups of parasitic worms. Three main groups are important in humans: the tapeworms (Cestoda), the flukes (Trematoda…

4 The fungi Introduction Fungi are eukaryotes, but are quite distinct from plants and animals. Characteristically, they are multinucleate or multicellular organisms with a thick carbohydrate cell wall containing chitin,…

1 Microbes as parasites The varieties of microbes Prokaryotes and eukaryotes A number of important and distinctive biologic characteristics must be taken into account when considering any organism in relation…

7 Prions Introduction Prions are unusual infectious agents associated with a number of human, animal and fungal diseases. In humans they can cause degenerative changes in the brain: the transmissible…

5 The protozoa Introduction Protozoa are single-celled animals, ranging in size from 2 to 100    nm. Many species are free-living, but others are important parasites of humans. Some free-living species…